Blizzard of 2010...

I thought I might get your attention today.

Most of you will be home from school and/or work today due to the inclement weather. I remember the days when I would be ectastically happy to have a snow day. However, keep in mind, I have had a snow day since my diagnosis on Dec. 22, 2008!!

We all relish a snow day now and then. But even after a day or two, we tend to go crazy and get cabin fever. As you can imagine, I'm beyond CABIN FEVER!!

A sweet dear friend who I met at Chemotherapy sent me a book entitled: There's No Place Like HOPE. I finally flipped through the pages yesterday with tears in my eyes. Because most of what she went through, I've been through too. However, the real tear jerker came when she mentioned being diagnosed before starting her family. I can't imagine that. My children, and grandchildren are my JOY!!! (O.K. Glen too)!!! (What would I do without MY SOULMATE/Cancermate?

I mostly read the chapters entitled POSITIVITY and another called " Someone once said, (No kidding):

"Do you ever worry about dying." "I knew someone who had what you have, but she died". "Is that a wig"? Oh, it's just hair, it will grow back"> (Yeah, it's my hair)!!

My favorite was something so many have said to me along the way. Especially before surgery. "Oh, try not to be frightened, I mean anyone of us could get hit by a car a die in an instant. Here's the thing. It's not a fair analogy to give a cancer patient.
On the other hand, if you want to be blindfolded and thrown out into the expressway during rush hour traffic, then it becomes alot closer to how someone with cancer might feel.

Oh, shit... Do I sound pessimistic? I really don't mean to. I don't want to tarnish my Positive Attitude reputation. I'm just keeping it REALLLLLL!

On a POSITIVE note: I thank God that my life didn't come with previews. I might have thought it was too frightening to stay for the feature presentation and missed some really great parts.

After every Blizzard, the snow eventually melts and people get on with their lives. I look forward to getting on with my life. After Blizzards come Sunshine, Springtime, and new blooms.

I try not to worry about life too much because I've seen the ending of the film and it all turns out all right." I like that...

Enjoy your snow day. No really, Enjoy!!!!

Still POSITIVE, HOPEFUL, CRAZY VIC-TREE LEADER, Theresa, TRee

My Journey Through CANCER-Land!

Yes it has been one year since the onset of my cancer diagnosis. I went for my annual mammogram last December 17, 2009 at 7 p.m. That same night I received a personal phone call from the radiologist by 9 p.m. He very nicely informed me that they just happened to have an opening for a biopsy the very next day at 12 noon. So on Dec. 18th My daughter Arielle brought me to that appt. We sat in the office listening to "Have a Holly Jolly Christmas", as we waited for my adventure to begin.
It was then that we realized, they don't make non-CHEERY Holiday tunes specifically for these occasions. The next day we headed to Boston for a 2nd and 3rd opinion and more invasive procedures. By Dec. 22nd, I heard the official news, " Yes Theresa there is and agressive Breast Cancer --Third Stage Her 2 Positive in your left breast!" Well, at least it was POSITIVE. They say if you have a positive outlook, things are easier to handle. For who??? The people around you I assume. No one wants to see a gloomy cancer patient, especially around Christmas time.

Recently one of my forever friends sent me an e-mail that informed me I had been through "The Perfect Storm" this past year. I'm not sure how perfect it was. However, I am sure that with the help of my husband, family (including my dog Rocky) and dear friends I was able to find "THE Happiness in the Storm".

With Mama Bear determination, I made myself a promise to do whatever I had to do as a patient to increase my chances of surviving for my children and my precious grandchildren.

I now finally feel like a survivor! Before this time, I always felt more like a cancer patient. With just two more Chemo appts. left and a final surgery on Jan. 27th, it's much easier to not allow cancer to be the central focus of my days.

The only therapy I've ever enjoyed is SPA therapy. However, in this past year I've withstood, Chemo-therapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, surgery and more. Having to rid your body of this deadly disease is like killing an ant with a hammer on a glass window. Except you're the ant and your body is the glass window.

Some of you have asked how I've made it through this year still standing. I think it was a combination of acceptance, feistiness, faith, peacefulness, finding my joy and hopefulness that helped me along the way. A tempered optimism toward finding my new normal and balance in my life.

Lessons Learned:

The human spirit is stronger than any challenge. Family, Friends, Faith and Flexibility are what you need to sustain you. As well, your husbands well timed jokes that only the two of you appreciate to help you get through the faCT THAT YOU are about to lose a part of your body or getting you through burning your body and more.
In the meantime, YOU have to be your own BEST FRIEND and then you not only can STAND UP to CANCER, you can get through your own personal storm. You may not be able to change the direction that the wind is blowing, but you can always change the direction of your sail. (THe sail of your own stormy seas)!

Luckily, no storm last forever. Sound knowledge and geniune hope have helped guide my way through this storm called Cancer and my love of life and my precious grandbabies have lead me to happiness despite this storm. After the rain stops and the winds die down, I hope to ease into my safe harbor and use the lessons learned to enrich my life and others today, tomorrow and every single day ahead of me.

There is always HOPE, and we all have a right to be hopeful!

Wishing you all Happy, Healthy, Hopeful Holidays!

CEO (Theresa, Tree..) of the (Vic-TREE) Victory Team Victoriously signing off........

Brent and Arielle performing at Sandbar Grill

FYI: Brent and Arielle are performing
this Sunday 6 p.m. at the
Ba Ha Brother's
Sandbar Grill, 64 Weir Street in Taunton, MA 02780

STICK A FORK IN ME -- I'M DONE!!!!!!

O.K., so I'll be done, all done---- with radiation this Thursday October 1st.
I gave the nurse and radiologists a gift of thanks. As well, I gave the doctor some SmokeHouse NUTS with a card that read, "Thank you for a job "Well Done", with the emphasis on "WELL DONE"!!!!!! I'm crispy like bacon. Glen and I sing old songs on the way to radiation like, "I'm Burning, I'm Burning, I'm Burning for YOU....",or Burn Baby Burn---Disco Inferno...Burn Baby Burn, Burn that Mother down." "Something's Burning.... You get the point??!!!! ( 7 wks of radiation in all).
With just two days to go, I've been running into a new patient as she nervously asks me how I'm doing. She is frightened beyond belief with questions like, "So is your skin red? Is it sore, itchy, uncomfortable??? I smile and say, "Oh, it's not that bad".
If I told the poor woman the truth, she'd run out of there like the Road Runner.
I don't see the point in making her fearful of something she has to do and will definitely get through.

More Chemo on Thursday. I continue the Chemo every 3 wks until January. I'm just now starting to feel like a SURVIVOR!!!!

I remain -- Totally Insane!!! CEO Theresa, Tree,SF

P.S. I'm Teaching part-time and loving it. It's like someone plugged me back into life. I love the classroom. Esp. the little ones, sweet and innocent!!

Shhhhh....It's a secret!!!

Shhhhh....Don't tell ANYONE that it's my birthday this Saturday, Sept. 19th!!

As my birthday approaches I can't help but think that I wasn't quite sure I would make it to another birth-day. I also fondly and lovingly remember how my dad would tell everyone he came in contact with (just days before his birthday) (every year) to squash any plans that people might be making. He would say, "If you hear of anyone making special plans for my birthday, squash them." You could say, he loved attention. You might say, I take after him.

O.K., so cut me some slack. It's been 9 months of cancer treatment, and 9 months of being out of work. I'm in my 5th week of radiation, with just one more week to go. I'll be done with radiation on October 1st. I'll continue with Chemo every 3 wks. until January with more surgery to follow.
Now do you see why I might be looking forward to a happy celebration!!!!!

Those of you that are Blaque Lyte fans. They will be playing this Monday, Sept. 21st at the famous "Scullers Jazz Club" in Boston. They are in a band contest at the club that evening.

Would you believe my little Alex will be 3 years old after Nini on October 4th??
His mommy Alyssa celebrates her day on Halloween. My girlfriend Marilu celebrates her day this month. However, this year was very special falling on 9-9-09. She had the right idea when she had a celebratory party that night. It reminded me of when I had my own 40th birthday party just a few short years ago!!!

One thing I have learned through my journey, is that Life is for Living! So remember, If you hear of anyone planning to call me or e-mail me to say Happy Birthday, squash it!!!!

Still CEO of the Vic-Tree Support Group -- Theresa, Tree